Multidisciplinary approaches

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 45 views

The Importance of Beta (TGF-β) Transforming Growth Factor in Pulmonary Physiology of Post-Tuberculosis Patients with a History of Smoking

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that can cause significant changes in lung tissue. Beta (TGF-β) transforming growth factor plays a crucial role in tissue repair, but can also contribute to fibrosis and lung damage. This study aims to investigate the value of TGF-β and pulmonary function in post-TB patients with a history of smoking at the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital Medan. Our results show that although TGF-β levels are increased in post-TB patients, no significant correlation is found with lung function measured through FEV1 and FVC. This study highlights the importance of monitoring post-TB patients, especially those with a history of smoking, and the need for comprehensive treatment and multidisciplinary approaches to improve their lung health.

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern worldwide, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In Indonesia, TB is a leading cause of death, with a high prevalence of TB among the population. Smoking is a well-known risk factor that worsens the condition of the lungs, and its effects are particularly pronounced in post-TB patients. The Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital Medan is one of the major referral hospitals in North Sumatra, Indonesia, and it has a high volume of TB patients.

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. TB is a major public health concern worldwide, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In Indonesia, TB is a leading cause of death, with a high prevalence of TB among the population.

Beta (TGF-β) transforming growth factor plays a crucial role in tissue repair, but can also contribute to fibrosis and lung damage. TGF-β is a cytokine that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and extracellular matrix production. It is involved in the process of tissue repair, but can also contribute to fibrosis and lung damage.

Methodology

This study is an analytic study with a cross-sectional design involving 26 post-TB patients with a history of smoking. The participants were recruited from the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital Medan. The inclusion criteria were post-TB patients with a history of smoking, aged 18-60 years, and with a diagnosis of TB confirmed by sputum smear microscopy or culture.

The participants underwent a pulmonary function test using Spirometry, which measures lung function through FEV1 and FVC. TGF-β levels were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method with venous blood samples.

Results

Of the 26 participants involved, 96.2% were men. The average TGF-β level obtained from all samples was 6621.5 ± 4856.7 mg/ml. The results of pulmonary function examination showed the mean FEV1 value of 58.3 ± 25.09%, FVC of 62.6 ± 23.7%, and FEV1/FVC of 77.6 ± 14.84%.

Through analysis using the Spearman correlation test, no significant relationship was found between TGF-β levels and FEV1 (R = 0.1, P = 0.61), FVC (R = 0.14, P = 0.48), and FEV1/FVC (R = 0.1, P = 0.62).

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that although there is an increase in TGF-β levels in post-TB patients, no significant correlation is found with lung function measured through FEV1 and FVC. This shows that although TGF-β has a role in the process of tissue healing, other factors may be more dominant in influencing lung function, especially in individuals with a history of smoking.

Smoking does not only have a negative impact on the lungs by disrupting immunological and inflammatory mechanisms, but can also change the body's response to TGF-β. Patients who smoke may experience more significant structural changes in lung tissue, which cannot be fully explained only by increasing TGF-β levels.

Conclusion

This study confirms the importance of monitoring post-TB patients, especially those with a history of smoking. Although high TGF-β levels can indicate a process of repair, this is not always directly proportional to the improvement of lung function. Therefore, comprehensive treatment and multidisciplinary approaches are needed to improve the quality of life of post-TB patients, especially in overcoming the effects of smoking on their lung health.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Monitoring of post-TB patients: Regular monitoring of post-TB patients, especially those with a history of smoking, is essential to detect any changes in lung function and to prevent further damage.
Comprehensive treatment: Comprehensive treatment, including medication and lifestyle changes, is necessary to improve the quality of life of post-TB patients.
Multidisciplinary approaches: Multidisciplinary approaches, including pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation programs, and psychological support, are necessary to improve the lung health of post-TB patients.
Education and awareness: Education and awareness programs are necessary to inform the public about the risks of smoking and the importance of monitoring post-TB patients.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The cross-sectional design of this study may not allow for the detection of changes in lung function over time.
Limited measurement tools: The measurement tools used in this study may not be sensitive enough to detect changes in lung function.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Investigate the relationship between TGF-β levels and lung function: Further studies should investigate the relationship between TGF-β levels and lung function in post-TB patients.
Develop comprehensive treatment programs: Comprehensive treatment programs should be developed to improve the quality of life of post-TB patients.
Evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches: The effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches, including pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation programs, and psychological support, should be evaluated in post-TB patients.

References

World Health Organization. (2019). Tuberculosis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Tuberculosis. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/index.htm
American Lung Association. (2020). Smoking and Lung Disease. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/smoking-and-lung-disease.html
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Beta (TGF-β) Transforming Growth Factor in Pulmonary Physiology of Post-Tuberculosis Patients with a History of Smoking

Q: What is Beta (TGF-β) transforming growth factor?

A: Beta (TGF-β) transforming growth factor is a cytokine that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and extracellular matrix production. It plays a crucial role in tissue repair, but can also contribute to fibrosis and lung damage.

Q: What is the relationship between TGF-β levels and lung function in post-TB patients?

A: The results of this study indicate that although there is an increase in TGF-β levels in post-TB patients, no significant correlation is found with lung function measured through FEV1 and FVC. This shows that although TGF-β has a role in the process of tissue healing, other factors may be more dominant in influencing lung function, especially in individuals with a history of smoking.

Q: What are the effects of smoking on lung function in post-TB patients?

A: Smoking can disrupt immunological and inflammatory mechanisms, and can also change the body's response to TGF-β. Patients who smoke may experience more significant structural changes in lung tissue, which cannot be fully explained only by increasing TGF-β levels.

Q: What are the recommendations for monitoring post-TB patients with a history of smoking?

A: Regular monitoring of post-TB patients, especially those with a history of smoking, is essential to detect any changes in lung function and to prevent further damage. Comprehensive treatment, including medication and lifestyle changes, is necessary to improve the quality of life of post-TB patients.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including a small sample size, a cross-sectional design, and limited measurement tools. Future studies should aim to investigate the relationship between TGF-β levels and lung function in post-TB patients, and to develop comprehensive treatment programs.

Q: What are the future directions for research on Beta (TGF-β) transforming growth factor in pulmonary physiology of post-tuberculosis patients with a history of smoking?

A: Future studies should aim to investigate the relationship between TGF-β levels and lung function in post-TB patients, and to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches, including pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation programs, and psychological support, should be evaluated in post-TB patients.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health?

A: This study highlights the importance of monitoring post-TB patients, especially those with a history of smoking, and the need for comprehensive treatment and multidisciplinary approaches to improve their lung health. Education and awareness programs are necessary to inform the public about the risks of smoking and the importance of monitoring post-TB patients.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research?

A: This research has potential applications in the development of new treatments for post-TB patients, including medication and lifestyle changes. It also has implications for the development of public health programs aimed at reducing the burden of TB and improving lung health.

Q: What are the potential risks and benefits of this research?

A: The potential risks of this research include the possibility of adverse effects from medication or lifestyle changes. The potential benefits include improved lung health and reduced risk of TB recurrence.

Q: What are the potential future research directions?

A: Future research directions include investigating the relationship between TGF-β levels and lung function in post-TB patients, and developing comprehensive treatment programs. The effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches, including pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation programs, and psychological support, should be evaluated in post-TB patients.

Q: What are the potential implications for policy and practice?

A: This study has implications for policy and practice, including the need for comprehensive treatment and multidisciplinary approaches to improve lung health in post-TB patients. Education and awareness programs are necessary to inform the public about the risks of smoking and the importance of monitoring post-TB patients.

Q: What are the potential future applications of this research?